Public warned of more rains

CEBU, Philippines — Yesterday’s wet weather was caused by the presence of “land-falling” Low Pressure Area (LPA) over Cebu Province, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, Jr., officer-in-charge of PAGASA Cebu, warned residents here of flooding and landslide as more rains are expected this week.

An LPA is described as a rain-causing weather system that is characterized by cloudiness and rains.

Quiblat said the LPA entered the eastern boundaries of the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Sunday afternoon. It was spotted within the vicinity of Masbate when rains fell on Cebu yesterday morning.

While it will leave Mindoro today and finer weather can be expected, cloudy skies and rainfall are also seen from Wednesday to Friday.

Quiblat said they are monitoring vast cloud formations oscillating outside the country’s landmass, which may develop into another weather system within the week.

He said prolonged rainfall may cause flowing water in rivers to breach the bank and flood streets and residential areas, especially low-lying zones. Yesterday, some areas were flooded as heavy rains poured over Cebu.

Quiblat said rainfall peaked from 8:52 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. and water accumulated to up to 15 millimeters.

Quiblat said continuous rainfall may also trigger landslides in sloped areas as rainwater gradually penetrates the ground and weakens the soil. He advised those in flood and landslide prone areas to be vigilant and take precautionary measures.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also gave the same warning at 5 p.m. yesterday.

"Inaasahan matinding pag-ulan maaring magdulot pagbaha at landslide sa Cebu. Maging handa sa posibleng paglikas. Siguraduhing ligtas ang sarili at pamilya," reads the agency’s text message to mobile users.

NDRRMC warned further that the rains in Cebu may affect watercourses in Kotkot, Mananga, Guinabasan, Balamban, and Sapangdaku.

Meanwhile, commenting on the perennial problem of flooding in the city, lawyer and environmentalist Gloria Estenzo Ramos said taking care of the environment is a shared responsibility.

"It takes two to tango. We have choices and if we allow government to fail in the performance of their mandates, then, we are also a party to the catastrophe. The blame game is over," said Ramos, co-founder of Philippine Earth Justice Center and vice president of Oceana Philippines.

“The question now is, can you honestly explain to the future generations that you did your part in lowering the carbon footprint and that you had been a conscientious steward of nature?” she said further. (FREEMAN)